Anheuser-Busch

Year Submitted: 2003

Process: Wastewater Treatment

Industry: Food/Beverage Manufacturing

Wastes Reduced: Effluent BOD

Substance: High BOD

Equipment: Residuals Evaporator

Location: Houston TX

Contact: Anne Horbaniuk

Phone: (713) 678-3713

Description:

Prior to installing an eight (8) stage residuals evaporator, Anheuser-Busch collected several process effluent streams, centrifuged these streams to remove solids, and then sewered the centrifuge effluent. This sewered centrifuge effluent was high in BOD and represented 40% of the plant's total loading.

P2 Application:

To eliminate this portion of our BOD stream, Anheuser-Busch purchased and installed an eight (8) stage residuals evaporator. The centrifuge effluent is now pumped to an evaporator feed tank, rather than to the sewer. From the feed tank, it is metered into the multiple stage evaporator. Moisture is removed as a condensate stream leaving behind a concentrated thick syrup with approximately a 50% total solids makeup. This syrup is then sold to a liquid animal feed producer. This evaporator application is present throughout the brewing and distilling industry. Here at Houston, the plant has been able to bring the evaporator up and operate per design spec within six months.

Environmental Benefits:

By installing the residuals evaporator, Anheuser-Busch reduced the amount of BOD loadings per day to the sanitary sewer by about 22-23,000 pounds (8 million pounds for 1993). Thus, impacting favorably the local sewer treatment plant.

Details of Reductions

Additional Information :

The evaporator should yield an annual sewer savings of approximately $1,500,000. It will increase our fuel, water, and electric costs. The plant will earn some revenues from the sale of the brewers condensed solids. Total project payback is five (5) years.

Source: TCEQ